SES and Gazprom boost Russian satellite capacity

The amount of satellite capacity available for Russia has increased thanks to a deal signed between satellite operator SES and Russian fixed satellite service operator Gazprom Space System (GSS).

SES has re-located its Astra 1F satellite, previously positioned at 51° East, to the orbital location 55° East. GSS will use 16 Ku-band FSS transponders on the satellite to provide communication services for western Russia ahead of the arrival of GSS’s Yamal-402 satellite in 2012. In return, SES will use capacity on GSS’s Yamal-402 once it becomes operational at 55° East. Yamal-402 is currently under construction and scheduled for launch in November 2012.

Dimitry Sevastiyanov, general director of GSS said: “The move of Astra 1F is good news for the Russian market. The additional satellite arrives at a time of high demand and scarce capacity and brings us in a position to meet the actual and growing capacity needs of our customers. The cooperation with SES is very productive and we may see additional joint projects in the future.”